Every year, around 200,000 seabirds flock to the islands to breed, including puffins, dubbed the “clowns of the ocean” for their colourful beaks and quirky behaviour.
National Trust rangers are currently counting breeding pairs to assess population trends, a crucial task following years of threats from global warming, overfishing, and bird flu.
While experts report bird flu has recently eased, concerns remain. Puffins still face threats from climate change, food shortages, and marine pollution.
The islands, home to 23 seabird species, remain a stronghold for the "clowns of the ocean" thanks to rich waters and the absence of predators like rats and cats.
